Algarve death toll rises

The death toll rose tonight following a landslide at a Portuguese seaside resort, as it was confirmed five people had been killed and at least four were injured.

Part of a cliff collapsed and buried bathers at Maria Luisa beach in Albufeira on the Algarve, said Marques Pereira, the head of maritime facilities in Faro.

Four women – two aged under 25 – and a 60-year-old man had died, the country’s emergency service said in a statement.

It was not immediately clear if other people were buried under the debris.

The nationalities of those involved in the accident were not disclosed.

The section of beach under the cliff that collapsed had been cordoned off with warning signs pointing out the danger of a possible landslide, Mr Pereira said.

“The sandstone of the cliff was pretty fragile and a risk of a landslide existed to the point that the maritime authority had placed warning signs,” he said.

Rescue efforts were concentrated in trying to find a man and a child under the debris before the tide came in, Mr Pereira said.

Prime Minister Jose Socrates was among officials who travelled to Albufeira to oversee rescue operations.